Palazzo Barberini

The Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, or National Gallery of Ancient Art, is housed in the majestic Baroque=style Palazzo Barberini. The palace, which was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII, was one of the most luxurious villas of its time. The museum has been completely refurbished and is unabashedly spectacular. Barberini's unique art collection is a must-visit for art lovers. If you’re planning a visit, read on to know about Palazzo Barberini tickets, visiting hours, FAQs and more.

The Palazzo Barberini is home to some truly spectacular pieces of art by many of the greatest artists to have ever lived. Here are some of the must-see artwork at Palazzo Barberini in Rome.

Margherita Luti, daughter of a baker from Trastevere, is depicted in La Fornarina as Raphael's lover and muse. There is no information about the work's client, which could corroborate the theory that Raphael painted it for himself in his final years.

The classical myth of Narcissus has been depicted in a variety of ways since ancient times, but Caravaggio's version is notable for its unusual compositional scheme, which is almost like a playing card. The lower half of the canvas mirrors the upper half, as if the painter had turned the top half of the canvas 180 degrees to obtain the reflected figure.

The features of Beatrice Cenci, the young parricide convicted and beheaded in Rome in 1599, and whom Guido Reni would have immortalised in prison a few seconds before the killing, have been recognised in this portrait. Since 1818, the picture has been in the Barberini family's collection.

Henry VIII was forty-nine years old when Holbein painted him in this painting, which was created to commemorate the king's fourth marriage. The subject's frontal position, the richness of the robe and jewels, and the stare directed on the viewer evoke a vivid vision of Henry VIII's greatness and authority.

Corradini's career has been defined by the veiled woman. Art enthusiasts have been astonished by this rendition, which he sculpted in 1743 while in Rome. Even amid the intricate draping of the garment, which is rich in folds and weaves, the veil is impalpable, revealing the underlying contours.  The monument always offers unique and emotive images depending on the point of view.

The ancient city of Rome is brimming with cultural experiences and historic landmarks. Outside of the popular ones, here are some underrated but equally exciting things to do in the city of Rome.

The Catacombs of Rome are underground cemeteries that have been used for centuries. The construction of the catacombs began in the 2nd century and was completed in the fifth. The pagan people, Jews, and Rome's early Christians were all buried here. The Catacombs are made up of an infinite number of underground tunnels that form real labyrinths, with multiple rows of rectangular niches excavated along the way. Book Roman Catacombs tickets.

The Baths of Caracalla were one of the finest and most impressive thermal complexes in ancient times. The complexes were built between 212 and 216 under the command of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, better known as Emperor Caracalla. Despite the fact that just the brick walls and enormous collapsed vaults survive today, the beauty of Caracalla's Baths has been preserved. Book Roman Baths of Caracalla tickets.

The Leonardo da Vinci Museum has been around for almost a decade. It is arranged into thematic categories based on Leonardo's many studies and passions throughout his life, with plenty of artefacts and movies in each section. Incredible interactive machines based on Leonardo's coded documents and sketches are among the most fascinating things here. Drawing studies for some of his most famous Renaissance paintings are also on display in the museum. Book Leonardo da Vinci Museum Rome tickets.

Bioparco, or the Giardino Zoologico di Roma, is a kid-friendly zoological garden in Rome located in the  park of Villa Borghese. The park is 42 acres in size, making it the largest zoo in Italy. It is estimated that it houses 1114 animals representing 222 different species. Prior to its founding in 1908, the zoo had previously kept a variety of tropical animal species for the purpose of exhibition. Book Bioparco Rome tickets.

The Hadrian Mausoleum, also known as Castel Sant'Angelo, is a colossal cylindrical structure in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy. Hadrian, the Roman Emperor, originally commissioned it as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The structure was later used as a fortification and castle by the popes, and it is now a museum. The film adaptation of Dan Brown's Angels & Demons made the Castle of the Holy Angel in Rome famous, with the castle serving as a hideout for the Illuminati. Book Castel Sant Angelo tickets.